Lament (April 2018)
"Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
Wake yourself! Do not reject us forever!
Why do you hide your face?"
For the victims of a probable chemical attack in Syria, Saturday, April 7th, we cry out.
Approximately 70 fatalities
Civil war now in 7th year
5.5 million Syrians have fled country, 6.1 million internally displaced
Lord, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy on us!
"For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
We cling to the ground.
Rise up; come to our help!"
For those enduring rising persecution of the church in India, we cry out.
Growing violence from Hindu extremists
Christians facing threats, destruction of property
Christ, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy;
Christ, have mercy on us!
"How long, O LORD? Will you forget us forever?
How long will you hide your face from us?
How long will we take counsel in our souls,
Having sorrow in our hearts all the day?"
Our Church Community
Family strife: struggling marriages, straying children
Death of loved ones
Acute and chronic health issues
Lord, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy;
Lord, have mercy on us!
Hope in God
Behold, the dwelling place of God
is with man.
He will dwell with them,
and they will be his people,
and God himself will be with them as their God.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
and death shall be no more,
neither shall there be mourning,
nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:3-4, ESV
Musicians: Steve Beatty (readings, vocals), Lisa Goben (piano and vocals), Steve Hardin (keys), Mark Sandeno (drums), Jordan Ribera (bass), Jim Richards (vocals, guitar)
Psalm 145 (My God, My King)
My God, my King, your endless praise
Shall fill the hours of all my days;
Let grace employ my humble tongue,
Let truth and glory shape the song—
Shape the song
The wings of every hour shall bear
Some thankful tribute to your ear;
And every setting sun shall see
New works of joy rendered by me.
Hallelujah! Praise your holy name
Hallelujah! I’ll bless you everyday—
My God, my King, praise your name!
Your truth and justice I'll proclaim;
Your bounty flows, an endless stream;
Your mercy swift, your anger slow,
Confounding every stubborn foe.
Hallelujah! Praise your holy name
Hallelujah! I’ll bless you everyday—
My God, my King, praise your name!
God, who can tell your wondrous deeds!
Your greatness all our thought exceeds;
Vast and unsearchable are your ways;
Vast and immortal be your praise, your praise!
Hallelujah! Praise your holy name
Hallelujah! I’ll bless you everyday—
My God, my King
Hallelujah! Praise your holy name
Hallelujah! I’ll bless you everyday—
My God, my King, praise your name!
My God, my King, praise your name!
Musicians: Hannah McIlhargey (vocals), Jim Richards (bass and vocals), Jonathan Olson (sound engineer), Lisa Goben (keys and vocals), Luke Morton (guitar and vocals), Mike Van Snellenberg (drums)
Words: Isaac Watts, 1707. Music: Luke Morton, 2018.
Recorded live on Sunday, April 8th, 2018 at 5:00pm service.
Rejoice, The Lord Is Risen
Rejoice, the Lord is ris’n;
Let all his friends rejoice;
This day the Lord has left his pris’n;
The grave has heard his voice—
O the grave has heard his voice.
The grave has felt his pow’r,
And has become his prey;
For darkness had its fearful hour;
But now again 'tis day—
O but now again ’tis day!
Now we have hope, living hope;
We’ve been born again
And the grave has lost its sting.
We will rise with our Lord,
Singing “Hallelujah!”
Come and let his praises ring!
The Lord is ris'n indeed, indeed
And he will die no more.
He lives again, and lives to plead,
The mercy-seat before.
O the mercy-seat before.
Now we have hope, living hope;
We’ve been born again
And the grave has lost its sting.
We will rise with our Lord,
Singing “Hallelujah!”
Come and let his praises ring!
We see him not, 'tis true, ’tis true;
But still we may be glad.
The work is done he came to do;
Then why should we be sad?
O then why should we be sad?
Now we have hope, living hope;
We’ve been born again
And the grave has lost its sting.
We will rise with our Lord,
Singing “Hallelujah!”
Come and let his praises ring!
Now we have hope, living hope;
We’ve been born again,
And the grave has lost its sting.
We will rise with our Lord,
Singing “Hallelujah!”
Come and let his praises ring!
Come and let his praises ring!
Come and let his praises ring!
Musicians: Alyssa Werner (tambourine and vocal), Blake Strickland (trombone), Chad Lloyd (bass), Jonny Akamu (electric guitar), Lisa Goben (keys and vocal), Luke Morton (guitar and vocal), Steve Hardin (drums)
Words: Thomas Kelly, 1853. Music: Luke Morton, 2018
Recorded live on Easter Sunday, April 1st, 2018 at 11:15am service.
Love Made Low
This is a King unlike the kings I've seen before
This is a King unlike the kings I've seen before
He lays aside his glory to be the poorest of the poor
This is a King unlike the kings I’ve seen before
The One who hung the stars has made himself a slave
The One who hung the stars has made himself a slave
He bends to those unbending, prideful and depraved
The One who hung the stars has made himself a slave
O such grace unknown
This is love made low
This is love made low
How can he love me when he knows I’ll go astray?
How can he love me when he knows I’ll go astray?
My heart, it is so fickle, his name I will betray
How can he love me when he knows I’ll go astray?
This is a King unlike the kings I've seen before
This is a King unlike the kings I've seen before
He says he’ll wash me clean and give me life forevermore
This is a King unlike the kings I’ve seen before
O such grace unknown
This is love made low
O such grace unknown
This is love made low
This is Love made low
This is love made low
This is Love made low
Words & Music: Luke Morton, Palm Sunday 2015
Musicians: Alex Vitug (keys and vocal), Andy Rose (drums), Kevin Timmons (electric guitar), Leslie Ruiter (bass), Luke Morton (guitar and vocal)
Recorded live on Palm Sunday, March 25th, 2018 at 11:15am service.
Holy Father, Great Creator
Holy Father, great Creator,
Source of mercy, love, and peace,
Look upon the Mediator,
Clothe us with his righteousness;
Heavenly Father, heavenly Father,
Through the Savior hear and bless.
Holy Jesus, Lord of glory,
Whom angelic hosts proclaim,
While we hear thy wondrous story,
Come and worship in thy Name,
Dear Redeemer, dear Redeemer,
In our hearts thy peace proclaim.
Holy Spirit, Sanctifier,
Come with unction from above,
Touch our hearts to sacred fire,
Fill them with the Savior's love.
Source of comfort, Source of comfort,
Cheer us with the Savior's love.
God the Lord, through every nation
Let thy wondrous mercies shine.
In the song of thy salvation
Every tongue and tribe combine.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Form our hearts and make them thine—
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Form our hearts and make them thine—
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Form our hearts and make them thine!
Words: Rev. Alexander Griswold, 1766-1843. Music: Luke Morton, 2015
Musicians: Jim Richards (guitar and vocal), Lisa Goben (piano and vocal), Terry Van Wechel (bass and vocal), Ryan Baggett (drums)
Recorded live on Sunday, March 18th, 2018 at 5pm service.
The Law Of God
The Law of God is good and wise
And sets his will before our eyes,
Shows us the way of righteousness,
And dooms to death when we transgress.
Its light of holiness imparts
The knowledge of our sinful hearts
That we may see our lost estate
And seek escape before too late
Before too late
O dear Law-Giver, we’re all lawbreakers;
Have mercy, have mercy, Lord!
O dear Law-Keeper,
Cover us lawbreakers;
Have mercy on us!
The Law is good; but since the fall
Its holiness condemns us all;
It dooms us for our sin to die
And has no power to justify
To justify
O dear Law-Giver, we’re all lawbreakers;
Have mercy, have mercy, Lord!
O dear Law-Keeper,
Cover us lawbreakers;
Have mercy on us!
Jesus, teach us to walk in your ways, in your ways
Let us delight in your ways, in your ways
Grace upon grace in your ways, in your ways
Jesus, teach us to walk in your ways
O dear Law-Giver, we’re all lawbreakers;
Have mercy, have mercy, Lord!
O dear Law-Keeper,
Cover us lawbreakers;
Have mercy on us!
Have mercy on us!
Musicians: Luke Morton (guitar and vocal), Lisa Goben (accordion and vocal), Levi Seitz (electric guitar), Robbie Watson (bass), Andy Rose (drums)
Words: Matthias Loy, 1863. Music & Chorus: Luke Morton, 2018.
Recorded live on Sunday, March 11th 2018 at 5pm service
Living Water
O the stream of living water!
From the stricken Rock it flows,
Free to every son and daughter—
Cure for all our sins and woes!
Through the wilderness, we’re going
To the land of promise fair,
Where the tree of life is growing
By the river flowing there!
O the water, living water!
All the thirsty to relieve;
Free to every son and daughter—
Come to Jesus and receive!
Praise the Lord! I feel it flowing,
Though the world assails my soul;
In my weakness strength is growing.
Jesus Christ hath made me whole!
O the water, living water!
All the thirsty to relieve;
Free to every son and daughter—
Come to Jesus and receive!
Words: Rev. W.C. Macurdy, c. 1880.
Music: Luke Morton, 2018.
A Lovely Wait (Partain)
A cover of Nathan Partain's "A Lovely Wait", the title track from his latest album:
https://nathanpartain.bandcamp.com/album/a-lovely-wait
I've seen great beauty in the starlit sky,
In the sweep of music, in my lover’s eyes,
But it has no weight apart from you.
I’ve sought for comfort, and I’ve scrounged for rest,
And I’ve searched for someway I could be content,
But the land is wanton, without you.
I’ve known man’s glory, just how it lasts,
With its fading flower and its witheried grass,
Cause There’s nothing living, without you.
I found innocence was stained, all the gold was lead,
I drank the ocean but I thirst again.
Cause the heart is restless without you.
So, I eat the dust, I wear the ash,
I bear the hunger, I keep the fast
It’s a lovely wait, to be with you.
I’m across from Canaan I’m looking in,
At the beautiful splendor of the Promised land,
But I will not enter, without you.
There is no affection, there is no feast,
There is no pleasure, there is no peace,
No, there is no heaven, without you.
So, I eat the dust, I wear the ash,
I bear the hunger, I keep the fast
It’s a lovely wait, to be with you.
I cry out in losses and I wait through wars,
For I know my Portion, my great Reward
It’s a lovely wait, to be with you.
Attend My Mournful Cry
Great source of boundless pow'r and grace,
Attend my mournful cry;
In the dark hour of deep distress,
To thee, to thee I fly.
Thou art my strength, my life, my stay,
Assist my feeble trust;
Drive these distressing fears away,
And raise me from the dust—up from the dust!
O let me call thy grace to mind,
And trust thy glorious name;
Good is the Lord, so wise, and kind,
Forever is the same.
Here let me rest, on thee depend,
My God, my hope, my all;
Be thou my everlasting friend,
And I can never fall—Oh I can never fall!
Words: Anne Steele, 1717-1778.
Music: Luke Morton & Jonny Akamu, 2018.
Hail To The Lord's Anointed (Zechariah's Song)
Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
Great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
He comes with comfort speedy
To those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy
And bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing,
Their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying,
Were precious in His sight.
He shall come down like showers
Upon the fruitful earth,
And joy and hope, like flowers,
Spring in His path to birth.
Before Him on the mountains
Shall peace, the herald, go
And righteousness, in fountains,
From hill to valley flow.
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed One,
O'er every foe victorious,
He on His throne shall rest,
From age to age more glorious,
All blessing and all-blest.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His name shall stand forever,
That name to us is Love
That name to us
That name to us
That name to us
That name to us is Love
Words: James Montgomery, 1821.
Music: Luke Morton, 2017
Give Me Faith
Teach me, O Lord, by faith alone,
Your perfect will to prove;
And know the pow’r of Christ to atone,
And fill me with his love.
Though I am sinful, all defiled,
No light, nor love within;
Yet you can make me your own child,
And cleanse me from all sin—
And cleanse me from all sin.
For you are my only hope, my only relief
O Lord, I believe; help my unbelief
Help me, O Lord, life’s journey through,
To live with single eye;
In all I think, or speak, or do,
Your name to glorify
So shall I walk in holy love,
Through Jesus’ power given;
Till faith is lost in sight above,
Among the saints in heaven—
Among the saints in heaven.
For you are my only hope, my only relief
O Lord, I believe; help my unbelief
Yes, you are my only hope, my only relief
O Lord, I believe; help my unbelief
Give me faith, give me faith
Help my unbelief
Give me faith, give me faith
Help my unbelief (and I’ll sing)
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Teach me, O Lord, by faith alone,
Your perfect will to prove;
And know the pow’r of Christ to atone,
And fill me with his love.
Words: C.E. Rowley, 1886.
Music: Luke Morton, 2017.
Blessed Redeemer
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory,
Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children—
His children
In His arms He carries them all day long—
All day long:
Praise Him! praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness!
Praise Him! praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins, He suffered and bled and died;
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows—
Our sorrows
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep, and strong—
Deep and strong:
Praise Him! praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness!
Praise Him! praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heavenly choirs loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!
Christ is coming, over the world victorious—
Victorious
Power and glory unto the Lord belong—
It all belongs!
Praise Him! praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness!
Praise Him! praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1869.
Music: Luke Morton, 2017.
God Of Abraham
You called us by name
Out of darkness deep
Now God of Abraham
Lead us on
We have heard your voice
We have followed you here
Now God of Abraham
Lead us on
Through the blistering wind
Beyond this vale of tears
Take these trembling hands,
Calm our anxious fears
And God of Abraham
Lead us on
Had you never called
We would still be lost
Now God of Abraham
Lead us on
Grant us faith to see
All we’ve yet to know
O God of Abraham
Lead us on
Through the blistering wind
Beyond this vale of tears
Take these trembling hands,
Calm our anxious fears
And God of Abraham
Lead us on
We don’t know where you’ll take us
But we know you are good
You did not spare your own Son
So we know you are good
Through the blistering wind
Beyond this vale of tears
Take these trembling hands,
Calm our anxious fears
And God of Abraham
Lead us on
Words & Music: Luke Morton, 2017.
Jesus With Thy Church Abide
Jesus, with Thy Church abide,
Be her Savior, Lord, and Guide,
While on earth her faith is tried:
We beseech Thee, hear us!
Keep her life and doctrine pure,
Help her, patient to endure,
Trusting in Thy promise sure:
We beseech Thee, hear us!
Be Thou with her all the days,
May she, safe from error's ways,
Toil for Thine eternal praise:
We beseech Thee, hear us!
May she guide the poor and blind,
Seek the lost until she find,
And the broken-hearted bind:
We beseech Thee, hear us!
Save her love from growing cold,
Make her watchful, strong and bold
Fence her round, Thy peaceful fold:
We beseech Thee, hear us!
May her scattered children be
From reproach of evil free,
Blameless witnesses for Thee:
We beseech Thee,
Fit her all Thy joy to share
At the feast Thou dost prepare,
And be ever blessed there:
We beseech Thee, hear us!
Words: Thomas Benson Pollock, 1871.
Music: Luke Morton, 2017.
Bartimeaus' Song
Son of David! hear my cry;
Savior, do not pass me by;
Touch these eyelids veiled in night,
Turn their darkness into light.
Son of David, hear my cry!
Savior, do not pass me by.
Though the proud my voice would still,
They may chide me if they will,
Yet the more I’ll pray for grace,
Only here shall be my place.
Son of David, hear my cry!
Savior, do not pass me by.
I’m crying out, I’m crying out
I’m crying out to thee
Have mercy, Lord, on me
You alone can heal the wounded,
Touch the blind and make them see
Have mercy, Lord, on me
Though despised by all but Thee,
Thou a blessing hast for me;
Faith and prayer can never fail,
Lord, with Thee I must prevail,
Son of David, hear my cry!
Savior, do not pass me by.
I’m crying out, I’m crying out
I’m crying out to thee
Have mercy, Lord, on me
You alone can heal the wounded,
Touch the blind and make them see
Have mercy, Lord, on me
Glorious vision! heav’nly ray!
All my gloom has passed away;
Now my joyful eye doth see,
And my soul still clings to Thee,
Thine the glory evermore,
Mine to worship and adore.
I’m crying out, I’m crying out
I’m crying out to thee
Have mercy, Lord, on me
You alone can heal the wounded,
Touch the blind and make them see
Have mercy, Lord, on me
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1874.
Music: Luke Morton, 2016.
Based on the healing of Bartimaeus from Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43.
Hear Our Cry
We were orphans in the wilderness,
Worn to skin and bone
Hating you and one another;
Wandering aimless and alone,
Aimless and alone
So well we knew our anger,
Oh the spite we held so dear
For malice was our language,
Speaking every single fear
But you called into the darkness,
To us who loved the night
Your voice, it pierced our blindness,
Led us to marvelous light
O bring your children home
We’ve no where else to fly
O Father, Son and Spirit
Hear our cry
As you have loved,
O teach us to love
As you have loved,
O teach us to love
(Hear our cry)
Words & Music: Luke Morton, 2017